Advice please: 10-wk-old still hates bathtime

[cupcakefairy]

Just looking for some tips really.

Ds is nearly 10 weeks. He has an absolutely lovely temperement; very smiley and chatty and calm- not grumpy or touchy, doesn't cry at loud noises etc which is why we're surprised he still screams his head off in the bath.

I give him a little wash with a warm flannel every morning which he absolutely loves & giggles through, kicking his legs etc but he cries immediately in the bath.

We have tried starting it by putting the flannel on his chest like I do in the morning, dh has been in the bath with him several times, we have tried singing a bathtime song every time (10 little duckies) so he knows what's about to happen but still he just screams. As soon as I get him out and cuddle him in a towel he is all smiles again.

Have wondered-
Could it be water getting in his ears?
Maybe it's just because it is evening and he's tired, maybe we should start it earlier? (We do it at about 6.45pm)

Obviously I know I'm very lucky to have a baby who is lovely most of the time so I'm not stressing too much about it but would like to take him swimming soon and worried he will hate it (dh and I both love swimming/water sports etc)

Sorry to ramble...anyone have any advice?

have you tried swaddling him in a muslin and lowering yourself with him on your chest into the water? if that works you can loosen the cloth gradually

my ds1 hated bath time til he was about 6 months old. He hated the swimming pool too, but I took him until he learned to get down the steps to get more than his knees wet (which took two years lol)
We resorted to doing baths only once a week or when covered in something really revolting and sod it the rest of the time. By 8 months he absolutely loved the bath!

Or just don't bath him.

My DS2 hated water being in the bath until he could sit up independently. Until then we washed grubby bits with a flannel ot oiled/massaged him.

He was a little better swimming (I think because he was held and I was in the water too) but he wasn't that happy either, so we changed plans. It makes no longterm difference as he now swims well and surfs. sbout swimming either. But if your DS really hates it, you may have to adjust your plans to his timetable/readiness.

Blimey, just don't bath him. You don't have to. M DD didn't like being naked AT ALL and we had a feezing cold house in the depths of winter.......so any naked time as kept as brief as possible. Wiping them down is all they need. Reintroduce if when he starts putting food in his ears

Thanks for quick replies :)

I know we don't have to bathe him, but we thought it would be a really nice 'daddy activity' dh can do when he gets home from work... guess I just had an idealistic picture of lovely smiley baby splashing in the bath with daddy but maybe that is a little unrealistic until he's older!

I've got my two to love baths by:

a) using a reclining baby bath seat so they feel secure - goes in adult bath - ours is mamas and papas

b) keeping the water at 38 to 40 degrees - warmer than you'd make it by elbow test but body temp or just above so lovely for the baby - get a cheap 'outdoor' thermometer from garden centre to drop into the water

Try showers instead? We did this from a couple of days old. One of you goes in the shower, gets the temperature right, the other hands in the baby, and then gets towels etc ready for after. Ours loved it, snuggling up to us in a warm shower.

This sounds weired but you could try having babe on you or dad in a material sling (or bit of material tied as a baby sling) then try getting in the big bath together to see if babe can get used to the feeling of the water around them whilst still feeling fully secure next to mum or dad. Would probably work best if you use a sling or carrier already. You can get specific waterproof slings for shower/pools/sea btw so taking babe with you into the water it is not an unheard-of practice I've just made up!

I was going to say the same as porcupine. Ours hated the bath until my next door neighbour suggested we were being over cautious with the water temp. So we used a thermometer and aimed for about 36, and realised that was warmer than we'd had it - she definitely 'warmed' to baths after that. And having a support works to make them fell more secure too!

Might sound back to front but try taking him swimming?! DD was a bit grouchy in the bath, few tantrums, I started taking her swimming weekly at 10 weeks and now she loves the bath (she is now 5 months).

My youngest (DD4) hated the bath with a passion until she started swimming lessons at age 3. She tried to climb out every time (very dangerous when all soapy or shampooey), wouldn't sit down, screamed and screamed and screamed. Her immediate older sister was generally miserable except when she was in the bath, but she hated swimming lessons .....

I just topped and tailed for a long time, and DD3 had the tub to herself for a long time.

I would said water is too cold too. And the time is probably not right. Try it in the morning instead or when you are both relaxed.
With DD 1 I had to sing constantly and make sure no water went in her face or ears.
DD2 splashes everywhere and love the bath and has always loved it.
Your DS might not like it for a very long time so you better try to get him use to it now rather than later. A bath a day is also good for them (no soaps, just water), just a dip is enough, try the shower too (under the tap of the sink is enough too). It is also easier and quicker than top and tail.

Thanks so much all; will definitely try warmer water I think we have been overcautious with it.
Gonna attempt swimming on Saturday so we'll see how he copes with that!